By CHUCK POLLOCK, Sun Senior Sports Columnist
For the first time since the 2023 season opener, the Bills are not alone atop the AFC East. Two years ago Buffalo lost to the Jets in overtime at the Meadowlands.
And last night, at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium they fell to the Falcons, 24-14, their second straight loss.
That defeat followed a victory by the Patriots a Sunday ago in Orchard Park.
The Pats, this past weekend, beat the Saints in New Orleans improving them to 4-2, the same record as the Bills after the loss to Atlanta. But, because of the head-to-head victory, New England now leads the division.
IN FAIRNESS, 11 games remain in the season but if Buffalo fans watching Monday night didn’t have a rush of concern, they weren’t paying attention.
The same issues — inability to stop the run and a receiving corps that can’t get separation — still exist. And for all the celebrating over the Bills 4-0 start, the realty is that those victims have compiled a 3-16 record.
For the sixth straight season, the Bills endured a two-game losing streak and the significance of that is each of those teams made the playoffs, three of them winning 13 games.
THE FALCONS, exposed Buffalo’s flaws for a national TV audience.
All season long the Bills have shown a marked inability to stop the run and last night was graphic proof.
Altlanta’s feature back, Bijan Robinson, embarrassed Buffalo’s defense — 19 carries 170 yards — with a career-best 81-yard scoring run that featured loss of gap control on the line and the obligatory missed tackles.
It’s also time to wonder if cornerback Tre’ Davious White needs to be replaced as, at times, he gets lost in coverage. Hopefully, first-round draft choice Maxwell Hairston, currently on injured reserve, is ready to join the team.
But that injury-plagued unit — outside linebacker Matt Milano remained out with a pectoral issue and during the game, middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, arguably Buffalo’s best defender, was hurt and didn’t return, the severity of his injury unknown.
And, given that flawed performance, the ‘D’ got little help from the offense which had averaged 33 points during the 4-0 start but has averaged 17 points in the two losses. The first four games, Buffalo averaged 351 yards in total offense, it got 291 versus the Falcons.
The fan base is understandably defensive about quarterback Josh Allen, the defending NFL MVP, but the past two weeks he’s been decidedly pedestrian statistically.
Against New England, he threw for 253 yards yards and two touchdowns but accounted for two of the three turnovers, an interception and a lost fumble.
Versus Atlanta he threw for only 180 yards, two touchdowns with two interceptions — albeit tipped balls — and wasn’t assigned a lost fumble of which he was a part.
(Tip to offensive coordinator Joe Brady: scrap the end-arounds to wide receivers, it’s created two lost fumbles in as many games).
Speaking of wideouts, the problem that was obvious before training camp has come full flower. Buffalo’s receivers can’t get separation in “man” coverage. The Bills best receiver, Khalil Shakir is a possession pass catcher with unusual after-the-catch skills.
And if you doubt the importance of a field-stretching wide receiver, think back to the Patriots loss when former Bill Stefon Diggs caught 10 balls for 146 yards and was a total difference-maker.
Against the Falcons, Buffalo’s best was Shakir’s three receptions for 33 yards.
Afterward, Allen admitted, “There’s opportunities to be had and plays to be made and we’re not taking advantage of them as players on the field.
IT TOOK coach Sean McDermott a long time to get to the interview room after the game and what he said had to be disturbing to Bills fans.
Pondering the previous two games he allowed, “It was not the result we were looking for … we’ve got a lot of stuff to clean up. And injuries are no excuse … there’s no such thing as moral victories.”
Facing the bye week before playing at Carolina, McDermott offered a chilling thought, “We’ve got to start out from ground zero.”
NOTES FROM the Bills 24-14 loss to the Falcons Monday at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
– Falcons running back Bijan Robinson’s 81-yard touchdown was the longest rush of his career.In addition, his 238 yards total offense was also a career-best.
– The Bills first sack of Atlanta quarterback Michael Pennix was recorded by edge rusher Javon Solomon, his first. Later, tackle Ed Oliver dumped Penix.
— The Falcons interceptors of Allen were cornerback Dee Alford and linebacker DeAngelo Malone on Buffalo’s final possession.
— Buffalo’s defensive bright spot was Deone Walker. The 6-foot-7, 330 pound tackle was credited with four tackles, all for a loss.
– Altanta’s initial sack of Allen was logged by linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, a Penn State alum, his first of the campaign. The second was credited to tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and the third to linebacker Divine Deablo. Both Orhorhoro and Deablo each have 1 1/2 sacks. Sam Roberts got the Falcons fourth sack.
– Inactive for the Bills were tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique), outside linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral), wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck/ribs), linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo and offensive tackle Chase Lundt.
In addition, safety Damar Hamlin and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders were placed on injured reserve and safety Jordan Poyer and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips were elevated from the practice squad.
During warmups, defensive tackle Da’Quan Jones injured his calf and couldn’t play creating more snaps for Phillips.
(Chuck Pollock, a Wellsville Sun senior sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@wnynet.net.)
